Paul Merson slams 'slow and lazy' Arsenal after Wolves draw and expects 'bottle jobs' talk to ramp up
Arsenal threw away a two-goal lead against Wolves as they missed the chance to go seven points clear; Man City can move within two points of Arsenal by beating Newcastle on Saturday; Arsenal face Spurs live on Sky Sports on Sunday; kick-off 4.30pm
Thursday 19 February 2026 16:23, UK
Paul Merson says Arsenal were punished for playing in "second gear" and feels they will face accusations of being "bottle jobs" after they threw away a two-goal lead to draw against Wolves.
Arsenal looked set to go seven points clear when Piero Hincapie added to Bukayo Saka's early opener but Hugo Bueno pulled a goal back in stunning style before a mix-up between Gabriel and David Raya allowed debutant Tom Edozie to equalise in the 94th minute.
The result follows a 1-1 draw against Brentford last week and means second-placed Manchester City can reduce the gap to two points by winning their game in hand. Pep Guardiola's side also welcome Arsenal to the Etihad Stadium on April 18.
As in the game against Brentford, Arsenal lost their composure in the closing stages at Molineux, and Merson predicts his former side will face accusations of imploding in another title race as the momentum appears to swing the way of Manchester City.
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"If Man City win all their games from now on, they win the league," said Merson on Sky Sports.
"It's disappointing. You can't play in second gear. When Wolves went to 2-2, there was an urgency. They didn't have that before. You can't play like that. Every game is a cup final to the end.
"You've got to play at a high tempo. If Arsenal play at a high tempo, Wolves can't live with them. But to play the way they played, and it's slow and lazy, and they are giving the ball away, then Wolves are always going to be in the game.
"That could come back to bite them. That is really, really disappointing tonight.
"It's going come on full blast now, being bottle jobs, melting. It's full-on now - drawing away at Brentford and then being two goals up against the worst team in the league."
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said his side "deserved the hit" after a second-half performance which didn't meet the required level "in any aspect of the game".
He told Sky Sports: "It's difficult to accept it in the second half how we didn't perform at any level in any aspect of the game, at the standards that are required to win a game in the Premier League and we paid the price.
"Too many things went wrong one after the other. It's best not to judge it. We are all too emotional about it and it's not the moment to do it.
"It's a moment when you don't perform, and you are at this level, and expectations are where they are. You have to take the hit, because as well, we deserve it."
Merson 'shocked' by Arteta interview
Merson was left surprised by Arteta's negative tone in the interview, saying: "I was quite shocked with the interview of Arteta. It's the first time, really, I've seen him not majorly positive. He usually comes out and says, 'we did this, we did that'.
"He's saying, 'we deserved the hit', instead of coming out and saying, 'we're five points clear. As long as we don't get beat by Manchester City, we win the league'.
"It wasn't like that. I was a bit worried with that interview. Even he is thinking now. You can only do so much for the team and when you watch that, there is something missing, I can't put my finger on it but there is something missing.
"I wouldn't want to be in their shoes if they don't win the league this year because if they don't, I remember Patrick Vieira saying before the Manchester United game that it's now or never.
"I'm starting to think that. I was very bullish about Arsenal winning the league but that's half-scared me tonight."
Smith: Arsenal not handling the pressure
Alan Smith said that Arsenal's implosion shows they are struggling to handle the pressure of the title race and feels Manchester City will be confident of overhauling them to win the title.
"It feels like a pivotal moment, a vital one, maybe a turning point," said the Sky Sports pundit.
"We'll wait and see. Obviously, it's in Manchester City's hands now but having been two goals up against the team that's rock bottom on nine points, it's not good enough.
"And the way things unravelled at the end...David Raya panicking coming out when he didn't need to come out it doesn't bode well for Arsenal being able to handle the pressure.
"There is clearly a lot of nerves within the camp, the whole situation seems to be getting the better of them. It did tonight and going forward but it doesn't bode well.
"We've spoken so often about them being the best team, the best squad in the league. But that counts for nothing if you haven't got that composure and ability to play and get results under pressure. That word bottle will be used quite a bit in the next few days.
"Man City will be thinking they can feel our breath on the shoulder and with their experience, with Guardiola's experience, they'll be really fancying it now.
"Obviously, it's a big game against Newcastle for them at the weekend, but they can almost feel the nerves of the Arsenal team watching that tonight."
Spurs next for Arsenal - and Man City could pile on pressure
Arsenal travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, live on Sky Sports on Sunday, for the first of two London derbies, and Merson feels the momentum may have swung "completely" the other way by then if Manchester City beat Newcastle on Saturday.
"It looks after itself, that's the good thing about it," Merson said of the challenge awaiting Arsenal in the north London derby.
"But the problem is, if Manchester City go and beat Newcastle before, it's two points, same games, and Arsenal are playing two derbies against their two biggest rivals in London in Tottenham and Chelsea.
"The momentum swings completely the other way. North London derbies go out the window. It's just that game. It doesn't matter if you're top or 15th, it's a leveller.
"A new manager has come in. He will have them running through brick walls. Arsenal aren't playing well enough to blow Tottenham away."
